Madagascar: Hike & Bike

Off the coast of East Africa lies a magical island of spectacular mountains, lush rainforests and unique wildlife – a trekker's dream. From Antananarivo to Tulear, encounter beautiful national parks, mythical volcanic lakes, hidden waterfalls, lizards, lemurs, unique Malagasy palms and bizarre boabs. Friendly Bara and Betsileo folk greet you as you hike via small villages, and many modes of transport, from pousse-pousse to bicycle to dugout canoe, allow you to experience this French-flavoured slice of paradise from several different angles.

This trip was previously known as Active Madagascar

$1 Deposit on trips

$1 Deposit on trips

Commit to your dream trip for just a $1 deposit

From 14 August 2017 to 24 September 2017, only $1 deposit will be required to secure your Intrepid Travel trip when travelling between 01 November 2017 and 01 July 2018.
The $1 deposit can be paid towards any Intrepid small group adventure or short break with the below exclusions:
Polar trips – includes all itineraries in the Arctic and Antarctic;
Private groups;
Trips operated by Dragoman;
Gorilla treks – pre purchased permits are required to secure the trek to see the Gorillas (excluded trips are: YXOG, YXOCC, YXOIC, YXOEC, YXOGC, YXOFC, UXODC, YGAG, YGAR)
Inca Trail trips - pre purchased permits are required to secure the trek (excluded trips are: GGKY, GGBL, GGSQ, GGTA, GGHC-O, GGKP, GGKY, GGTBC, GGSEC, GGSO, GGSUC, GGRQC, GGRWC, GGRNC, GGRPC, GGRTC)
Peru trips operated by local partner Dragoman will be booked onto alternate Quechua trek. If passenger chooses to book the Inca Trail instead, full $400 deposit will need to be collected.
The discount applies to the land tour price only and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and are not combinable. Full payment is required 56 days prior to departure. If booking within 56 days of departure, full payment is due immediately. All tours are subject to availability. Prices, itineraries and inclusions are subject to change without notice. Standard booking conditions apply as per Intrepid website www.intrepidtravel.com.
The offer can be applied to new bookings only and cannot be used in conjunction with another offer or discount.
If the traveller wishes cancel and rebook or to change dates or tours, they will be required to pay the full $400 deposit towards the new trip. This is applicable even inside promotional period.

Why we love this trip

This trip is so much more than a trekking adventure. Explore Antsirabe by pousse-pousse (rickshaw), take to the countryside by bicycle, and cruise the Matsiatra River on a full-day canoe adventure

Take in scenes of local life along the way, with many chances to interact with ethnic minorities such as the Betsileo and the Bara

Enjoy flexibility, with many chances to rest your legs or opt for further activities: a Malagasy artisan workshop, a trek to a hidden swimming hole, or a visit to the Swiss-designed Antsokay Arboretum

See how many species of lemur you can spot in Isalo and Andringitra national parks – there are some 33 different types

Is this trip right for you?

This being an active trip, there is quite a bit of walking involved. The hike to the Peak Boby (Day 9) is incredibly scenic and rewarding, but remember it takes around nine hours. Strong and sturdy hiking shoes, and a good level of fitness, are essential.

Road conditions in Madagascar are notoriously poor. This means some of the driving days will be long as well as bumpy.

Gallery

Itinerary

Tonga soa Bienvenue! Welcome to Madagascar. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time for this, consider arriving a day early so you are able to attend. If you are going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting. If you arrive early, take some time to explore hilly Antananarivo. Head to Analakey to visit the permanent street markets or seek out the restaurants and nightclubs.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

A pre-paid airport arrival transfer is available for pre-booking. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel (note - we may not be able confirm request made within 15 days of travel).

On arrival in to Antananarivo Airport, please exit the arrival hall. A transfer representative will be waiting to meet you outside of the arrival hall. Please look for an Intrepid board with your name on it.

Drive to Antsirabe in the early morning and enjoy an afternoon exploration of the area. Enjoy a two-hour cultural city tour which combines walking and local rickshaw (called a pousse-pousse). There will be an option to visit a local artisan workshop where every guest will be able to participate in making a traditional Malagasy handicraft.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Antsirabe - Pousse-pousse rickshaw tour

Meals Included

In the morning, explore the lovely Antsirabe countryside by bicycle. This round trip (approximately 27 kilometres) takes you to both Andraikiba Lake and Andrononobe Lake. Lake Andraikiba is not only gorgeous but very unique, with a strange legend attached to it – about a pretty pregnant lady whose spirit has haunted the area since she drowned here long ago. Even to this day it is said that you might see her at the break of dawn resting on a rock by the lakeside. Swimming is possible during summer months (May–December). In the afternoon, drive to Ambositra.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Antsirabe - Half day cycling trip

Meals Included

Transfer to Antoetra to start Zafimaniry country trekking. The trek (approximately 4 hours; 10.2 kilometres) starts in Antoetra, the main Zafimaniry village, and also the last one reachable by car. Start your walk through eucalyptus forest, grass land and mimosa trees, until you reach Vohibe, a rocky platform where catholics built a large cross back in the last century. After enjoying the views, reach the village of Sakaivo, where you will camp under canvas, dozing off to the ambience of the wild.

Accommodation

Camping (1 night)

Included Activities

Zafimaniry Country - Trekking

Meals Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Special Information

Porters are included during today's trek. However, your luggage for this portion of the trip must be kept to a maximum 15kgs. Any excess baggage will need to be left in our private vehicle.

Please note: the way of life for the Zafimaniry people is simple and rudimentary. They earn their living from agriculture and woodcarving trades. This local balance is very fragile, therefore visiting this area requires a responsible approach to tourism. We strongly advise against giving money or gifts directly to the local people and children. A large portion of the trekking cost is contributed to the local community. However, should you wish to make any further contributions, please let your trip leader know and he/she will discuss responsible donation options.

Enjoy a full day of trekking in Zafimaniry Country. After a hearty breakfast, start your day among the rice fields and take in the scenery, replete with typical houses of the Zafimaniry living in Sakaivo. The rest of the day will be a tour of different typical villages, where you'll see woodcarvers (well-known in the area) at work. Sit down to a picnic lunch en route.

Accommodation

Camping (1 night)

Included Activities

Zafimaniry Country - Trekking

Meals Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Special Information

Porters are included during today's trek. However, your luggage for this portion of the trip must be kept to a maximum 15kgs. Any excess baggage will need to be left in our private vehicle.

Please note: the way of life for the Zafimaniry people is simple and rudimentary. They earn their living from agriculture and woodcarving trades. This local balance is very fragile, therefore visiting this area requires a responsible approach to tourism. We strongly advise against giving money or gifts directly to the local people and children. A large portion of the trekking cost is contributed to the local community. However, should you wish to make any further contributions, please let your trip leader know and he/she will discuss responsible donation options.

Today you'll head back to Antoetra, where your vehicle will be waiting for you. This last day, you'll still cross some typical villages and be able to share special time with local people. Transfer to Sahambavy for some well-earned rest.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Zafimaniry Country - Trekking

Meals Included

Rise early this morning and visit the Tea Estate Factory (if it's open). Then, if you are up for it, transfer to the village of Manaotsara for an optional full-day dugout canoe trip on the Matsiatra River. There will be two people, plus a local boatman, per canoe. Everyone will row and participate actively. The dugout canoes require calm and balance, and it's important to follow the indication strictly, so as to avoid a bath in the river! Before starting the trip, you'll be asked to do a 'soatra', a traditional rhum offering to ancestors asking them to take care of the boats on the river. Lunch will be a picnic on the river bank near a waterfall. Throughout the day, enjoy scenes of the countryside and the daily agricultural life of the local Betsileo people.

If you would prefer a break from the action, spend the afternoon relaxing around Sahambavy.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

Sahambavy - Matsiatra River canoe trip - EUR65

Meals Included

Drive down to Ambalavao and then to Namoly, the northern entrance of the Andringitra National Park. At this point your Andringitra / Peak Boby trek begins. Today's walk (approximately 4 hours; 11.3 kilometres) takes you to your first campsite, at Andranolava.

Accommodation

Camping (1 night)

Included Activities

Andringitra - Peak Boby Trek

Meals Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Special Information

Porters are included during today's trek. However, your luggage for this portion of the trip must be kept to a maximum 15kgs. Any excess baggage will need to be left in our private vehicle.

Today is the big day of walking (approximately 9 hours; 21.5 km). Wake up early (before dawn) and firstly walk to the Peak Boby (approximately 2.5 hours). Due to its eastern position, the Peak Boby is surrounded by fog during the day, but normally not in the early morning. So an early start makes for a better chance of being exposed to nice weather conditions. After enjoying an amazing view over the area, descend via the 'moon trail' and explore a very special mountainous landscape. You will then reach a forest of endemic palm trees called 'Ravenea glauca'. Continue to the Lantaranomby campsite.

Accommodation

Camping (1 night)

Included Activities

Andringitra - Peak Boby Trek

Meals Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Special Information

Porters are included during today's trek. However, your luggage for this portion of the trip must be kept to a maximum 15kgs. Any excess baggage will need to be left in our private vehicle.

Today's walk takes you to Tsara Camp (approximately 5 hours; 12 km). After breakfast, set off down to the southern entrance of the Park, looking over the Tsaranoro Valley from the impressive Tsaranoro cliff. Along the way, spot aloes, lizards and chameleons, maybe even a few lemur catta (ring-tailed lemurs). Then you'll pass through several villages inhabitated by the 'Barabory', a mixed population of Bara and Betsileo. Arrive at the Tsara Camp in the eary afternoon and enjoy some free time in this peaceful place.

Accommodation

Lodge (1 night)

Included Activities

Andringitra - Peak Boby Trek

Meals Included

Enjoy a morning of free time. In the afternoon, drive to Isalo National Park. Covering an area of 81,540 hectares, this beautiful reserve is filled with golden plains punctuated by craggy pinnacles of terracotta rock, valleys, canyons, waterfalls and even tombs. Spot lemurs and Verreaux's sifakas in the lush forested entrance to the canyon.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

Enjoy a full-day exploration of Isalo National Park. The park is home to approximately 55 species of birds, including the endemic Benson’s rock thrush, as well as a variety of lemurs, lizards and snakes. An optional hike amidst stunning rock formations (approximately 6 hours) will take you to Piscine Naturelle, a beautiful natural swimming pool in an oasis-like setting.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Isalo National Park - Guided Walk

Meals Included

Drive down to Tulear. On the way there you will visit the Zombitse National Park and see its bizarre baobab trees. The park comprises some 363 square kilometres of dry forest, marsh and savanna. On arrival at Tulear, the rest of the day is at your leisure. There's an optional visit to the highly recommended Antsokay Arboretum, a superb display of hundreds of different plant species.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

Tulear - Antsokay Arboretum visit - EUR5

Meals Included

We recommend that you don't plan to connect any regional or international flights within the same day. It's important to note that these flights can fill up quickly in high season and we also recommend that you purchase a re-routable ticket.

Meals Included

Breakfast

Inclusions

Meals

13 breakfasts,
4 lunches,
7 dinners

Transport

Minibus

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights),
Lodge (1 night),
Camping (4 nights)

Included activities

Antsirabe - Pousse-pousse rickshaw tour

Antsirabe - Half day cycling trip

Zafimaniry Country - Trekking

Andringitra - Peak Boby Trek

Isalo National Park - Guided Walk

Meals

13 breakfasts,
4 lunches,
7 dinners

Transport

Minibus

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights),
Lodge (1 night),
Camping (4 nights)

Included activities

Antsirabe - Pousse-pousse rickshaw tour

Antsirabe - Half day cycling trip

Zafimaniry Country - Trekking

Andringitra - Peak Boby Trek

Isalo National Park - Guided Walk

Dates & availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available on this trip. However, it is not applicable on nights 4 and 5 while camping in Zafimaniry Country and on nights 8 and 9 while camping in Andringitra National Park.
2. You are required to bring your own sleeping bag on this trip.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Reviews

Simone Medonos

Barnabas was a truly excellent guide and Fabrizio was a very safe and diligent driver. These were possibly the best Intrepid staff I have come across. The itinerary was varied and active even by my high standards. Some of the hotels were really lovely whilst others definitely could do with improving. Our group would have liked to see more wildlife at the start but this comes towards the back end of the trip. Perhaps Intrepid would consider adding the varied landscape of Morondava and the west onto the itinerary. Camping was comfortable and food was good. Toilets were understandably questionable. Nevertheless, highly recommended!

Jane Gibbens

A great way to see the East and South of Madagascar while keeping fit, beautiful and varied scenery, great trekking, well organised camping and a fascinating culture that this trip helps you see into. The physical rating of 4/5 is probably right - a lot of steep downhill trekking which is hard on the knees, coupled with some long transfers by road (due to their poor condition) which makes for some long days - but there is no choice, the roads are awful!